According to the instructions for the practices of the base level of santi maha sangha one day of practice corresponds to four thuns. Does anybody know how long is one thun supposed to be?

Many thanks

I guess you refer to what we DC practitioners call the "long thun"?

Because as far as i know "thun" just means "a practice session". For example doing the Ganapuja (shorthand for ganacakra puja, btw) would be a thun as well. I've been in looooong ganapujas, 3 hours or more.

To make it last a lot, just stretch the naggon to the limit!! And keep sounding that bell and that drum!!

I would guess there's nothing wrong with such lengths of time, as long as you can physically do it and as long as you're not stopping to attend important matters.

I know you're talking about DC, but in general, a Thun is 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Most Nyingma and Kagyu (and maybe other) strict retreats, like three year retreats, etc., are based on 4 of these "Thuns" a day--pre-dawn (approx 3:30 or 4 am--6:30 or 7), mid morning (7 am-9:30 am or 10), afternoon (1 pm to 3:30 or 4 pm), and early evening, (5:30 or 6 pm-9 pm). Times are rough, but you get the idea.

Most retreats will have group sessions in morning and late afternoon as well, which are somewhat shorter--after first morning solitary Thun, and before the Last (evening) solitary Thun.

May any merit generated by on-line discussionBe dedicated to the Ultimate Benefit of All Sentient Beings.

There are detailed instructions about the required practice sessions of the Base Level of SMS in the relevant book, pages 327-330. Surely, for completing all those sessions, and accumulations of mantras etc, a lot of time is necessary for months or years. It depends on the possibilities and conditions of each individual.

"My view is as vast as the sky, but my actions are finer than flour" ~ Padmasambhava ~

Dronma wrote:There are detailed instructions about the required practice sessions of the Base Level of SMS in the relevant book, pages 327-330. Surely, for completing all those sessions, and accumulations of mantras etc, a lot of time is necessary for months or years. It depends on the possibilities and conditions of each individual.

treehuggingoctopus wrote:Dronma, which edition of the Precious Vase have you got?

Mine (SSI, 2008) is only 323 pages long...

It writes: Copyright 1999 SSI etc, and the whole book has 330 numbered pages. The instructions, which I already mentioned, are in the last chapter with the title: "Appendix: The practices of the Base of Santi Maha Sangha", and at the last page it is signed by Rinpoche.

"My view is as vast as the sky, but my actions are finer than flour" ~ Padmasambhava ~

treehuggingoctopus wrote:I've got the Appendix. But there's no mention of the required length of a thun session there.

Yes, true, it does not mention the length of a thun session. But Rinpoche recommends 4 thuns per day, and if we start accumulating the days which are required for: Lojong, the 4 immeasurables, the 3 secondary practices for the Samten, the 2 absences of self-nature, Rushens, Semdzins, plus the accumulation of mantras for the 2 Yidams (700.000, or 500.000, or at least 300.000 mantras for each), then we can understand that it is really required a lot of time. Whether someone will dedicate 2, 3 or more hours in each thun, it is up to him/her. It depends on the possibilities and conditions of each individual.

"My view is as vast as the sky, but my actions are finer than flour" ~ Padmasambhava ~

Would someone please tell me what the requirements are to purchase and study the SMS BASE LEVEL TEXT: The Precious Vase? I am a Current Member of the DC and have received direct introduction, but is there a specific transmission to begin SMS study? Obviously I would need a transmission for any practices, but where do I start with this?

Reibeam wrote:Would someone please tell me what the requirements are to purchase and study the SMS BASE LEVEL TEXT: The Precious Vase? I am a Current Member of the DC and have received direct introduction, but is there a specific transmission to begin SMS study? Obviously I would need a transmission for any practices, but where do I start with this?

You can get the book, no specific transmission for it necessary. And if you've attended at least one full retreat there's probably no practices in the book that you'd need extra transmission for in order to do them.

Although many individuals in this age appear to be merely indulging their worldly desires, one does not have the capacity to judge them, so it is best to train in pure vision.- Shabkar

Reibeam wrote:Would someone please tell me what the requirements are to purchase and study the SMS BASE LEVEL TEXT: The Precious Vase? I am a Current Member of the DC and have received direct introduction, but is there a specific transmission to begin SMS study? Obviously I would need a transmission for any practices, but where do I start with this?

You can get the book, no specific transmission for it necessary. And if you've attended at least one full retreat there's probably no practices in the book that you'd need extra transmission for in order to do them.

Thanks, Pero! I really appreciate you answering so many of my posts recently, it has been really helpful!